The National Music & Global Culture Society, in collaboration with the Azerbaijan-American Music Foundation, announces the inaugural Hajibeyli International Composition Competition to recognize outstanding new full-scale musical works inspired by the musical material authored by the legendary composer Uzeyir Hajibeyli, who is known as the founder of classical music of Azerbaijan. It will celebrate the life and impact of Hajibeyli, the world-renowned composer, conductor, publicist, playwright, and social figure.
Prizes
Three prizes totaling $3,500 will be awarded:
First Prize
- $2000
- Certificate of Excellence
- Performance at the Lincoln Center, Bruno Walter Auditorium in New York, USA
- Performance at the Uzeyir Hajibeyli International Music Festival in Baku, Azerbaijan
Second Prize
- $1000
- Certificate of Excellence
- Performance at the Lincoln Center, Bruno Walter Auditorium in New York, USA
- Performance at the Uzeyir Hajibeyli International Music Festival in Baku, Azerbaijan
Third Prize
- $500
- Certificate of Excellence
- Performance at the Lincoln Center, Bruno Walter Auditorium in New York, USA
- Performance at the Uzeyir Hajibeyli International Music Festival in Baku, Azerbaijan
Publication
The best works selected by the jury (including prize-winning works) will be published in the USA.
Eligibility
The competition is open to composers of all nationalities with no age restrictions.
Composition Requirements
An original composition for solo instrument or small ensemble (up to 5 instruments), based on one or several of ten (10) pre-selected Hajibeyli melodies must be submitted.
Contestants may also use any other melody by Hajibeyli, in addition to the obligatory one(s).
Pieces featuring voice will also be accepted (the number of performers should not exceed 5). Submitted works should not exceed 15 minutes in duration.
There are no stylistic limitations.
The title of the piece should pay homage to Uzeyir Hajibeyli and the title of the borrowed melody.
The composer’s name should not appear in the score.
Instruments
The composer may use only one of the instruments listed below (except violin and voice):
- piano, violin (up to 2 in the ensemble), viola, cello, double bass, flute, clarinet, or oboe
- voice (up to 2 in the ensemble): soprano, mezzo soprano, tenor, baritone
To apply
All candidates must submit the following materials online no later than 11:59 p.m. EST on July 15, 2021.
Each candidate should submit only one composition.
Large files can be submitted via third parties such as Google Drive or WeTransfer.
- PDF copy of the original score
- MP3 recording (MIDI realizations are accepted)
- Short Bio or CV
- A $15 non-refundable entry fee
Judging
The Competition Jury will include distinguished composers. A blind jury process will be used. The Jury decision will be final. Winners of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Prizes will be announced on September 18, 2021, on Uzeyir Hajibeyli’s Anniversary. The results of the competition will be published worldwide.
Our Partners
Work with Diaspora
Music Foundation
Republic of Azerbaijan to the United States of America
to the United Nations
See the Application page for submission, and the References page for reference pieces such as media and scores.